Today (Friday 29th November 2024), Members of Parliament will debate and vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. This Bill would allow those with a terminal illness, with less than six months to live, the right to request and receive medical assistance to end their life if that is their express wish.
This is, rightly, a free vote where the Government is neutral as this is an issue that transcends party politics. As our MP, I acknowledge that the final decision on which voting lobby to walk through rests with me, however, I would not feel comfortable walking through either lobby without having first heard the views of as many of our residents as possible.
Today’s vote represents an historic moment, and this is one of the most difficult decisions I have had to consider since I was elected to Parliament in July. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has taken the time to share their thoughts, feelings, and personal experiences with me over previous weeks. I’ve been heartened by the constructive, compassionate way all those who have contacted me, regardless of their position on this issue, have approached this discussion.
Having taken time to carefully consider this Bill, I have decided that I will vote in favour of it today. I want to be open and honest with you about the reasons behind my decision, which I have laid out in this letter.
I believe that those facing a terminal diagnosis should have the right to make informed choices about how they wish to approach the end of their lives. For some, the ability to choose the time and way in which they die offers comfort and control in what is often a profoundly distressing time. This legislation seeks to provide an option to those who wish to exercise it, without imposing it on anyone who does not.
I do not believe the law as it stands is fit for purpose. Currently, many of those facing a terminal illness are forced to endure prolonged suffering or travel abroad to seek assistance in dying. This often comes at a significant emotional and financial cost to themselves and their loved ones, and many are forced to make this choice prematurely due to the challenges of international travel when gravely ill. This Bill offers a compassionate, tightly regulated alternative, ensuring that the most vulnerable are protected while giving agency to those who meet its strict criteria to end their life at a time of their choosing.
I believe that the safeguards proposed in this Bill are robust. It would require a terminal diagnosis and to be in the last six months of life, the independent approval of two medical practitioners and a High Court judge to ensure that those who choose to end their life do so voluntarily, in an informed way and without coercion.
Importantly, this legislation does not permit people to seek an assisted death on the basis of disability, mental ill health or acute pain, and I want to be clear that I would not be voting for it if it did, nor would I vote for any legislation which sought to do so.
Supporting this Bill should not diminish the importance of high-quality palliative care. Choice at the end of life must be about how you choose to end your life, not a binary choice between life and death. Many will find comfort in hospice care or other end-of-life support and those who wish to do so must be able to access this support. However, there are cases where even the best care cannot alleviate suffering. This Bill is not a replacement for these vital services but a complement for the small number of people for whom existing options fall short.
It is also important to note that this is not the final stage of the Bill’s journey. Today’s debate and vote is a second reading which, if passed, does not mean that the Bill becomes law but that it progresses through a further Parliamentary process that will likely take months. This will provide time for MPs and Peers to further scrutinise it and, if appropriate, make potential amendments. I will continue to listen to constituents as I monitor the Bill’s progress to ensure that the legislation remains fair, compassionate, and safe.
I know that while some will agree with my decision, others will not. This is an issue where many will have deeply held views. I want to reassure you that I have listened carefully to both sides of this debate before coming to a decision, and I remain incredibly grateful to everyone who has taken the time to share their views with me.
I am conscious that this is one of the most significant votes I will ever take in Parliament, and this is not a decision that I have taken lightly. I am incredibly grateful to all of you who have shared your views with me, and I hope that this letter adequately explains the consideration I have given to this important piece of legislation.
Thank you for your engagement on this issue.